Barry Zito, greeted in the dugout after scoring in the fifth, contributed with his arm, bat and legs against the Rockies.

Photo: Lea Suzuki, The Chronicle

Barry Zito, greeted in the dugout after scoring in the fifth,...

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SAN FRANCISCO, CA - APRIL 10: Barry Zito #75 of the San Francisco Giants is congratulated by Joaquin Arias #13 after Zito scored on an RBI double by Buster Posey #28 against the Colorado Rockies in the bottom of the second inning at AT&T Park on April 10, 2013 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

Photo: Thearon W. Henderson, Getty Images

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - APRIL 10: Barry Zito #75 of the San Francisco...

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SAN FRANCISCO, CA - APRIL 10: Andres Torres #56 of the San Francisco Giants hits a bases loaded single driving in two runs against the Colorado Rockies in the bottom of the second inning at AT&T Park on April 10, 2013 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

Photo: Thearon W. Henderson, Getty Images

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - APRIL 10: Andres Torres #56 of the San...

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SAN FRANCISCO, CA - APRIL 10: Buster Posey #28 of the San Francisco Giants is congratulated by manager Bruce Bochy #15 after Posey scored against the Colorado Rockie in the bottom of the second inning at AT&T Park on April 10, 2013 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

Photo: Thearon W. Henderson, Getty Images

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - APRIL 10: Buster Posey #28 of the San...

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SAN FRANCISCO, CA - APRIL 10: Jeff Francis #26 of the Colorado Rockies pitches against the San Francisco Giants in the first inning at AT&T Park on April 10, 2013 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

Photo: Thearon W. Henderson, Getty Images

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - APRIL 10: Jeff Francis #26 of the Colorado...

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SAN FRANCISCO, CA - APRIL 10: Barry Zito #75 of the San Francisco Giants pitches against the Colorado Rockies in the first inning at AT&T Park on April 10, 2013 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

Photo: Thearon W. Henderson, Getty Images

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - APRIL 10: Barry Zito #75 of the San Francisco...

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San Francisco Giants' Buster Posey doubles off of Colorado Rockies pitcher Jeff Francis to score Barry Zito during the second inning of a baseball game in San Francisco, Wednesday, April 10, 2013. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Photo: Jeff Chiu, Associated Press

San Francisco Giants' Buster Posey doubles off of Colorado Rockies...

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Colorado Rockies pitcher Jeff Francis (26) is taken out for a relief pitcher by manager Walt Weiss, second from left, during the second inning of a baseball game against the San Francisco Giants in San Francisco, Wednesday, April 10, 2013. Catcher Wilin Rosario, left, and third baseman Jordan Pacheco (15) stand by. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Photo: Jeff Chiu, Associated Press

Colorado Rockies pitcher Jeff Francis (26) is taken out for a...

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San Francisco Giants' Joaquin Arias singles off of Colorado Rockies pitcher Jeff Francis to score Buster Posey during the first inning of a baseball game in San Francisco, Wednesday, April 10, 2013. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Photo: Jeff Chiu, Associated Press

San Francisco Giants' Joaquin Arias singles off of Colorado Rockies...

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San Francisco Giants' Barry Zito (75) singles to score Andres Torres during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Colorado Rockies in San Francisco, Wednesday, April 10, 2013. The Giants won 10-0. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Photo: Jeff Chiu, Associated Press

San Francisco Giants' Barry Zito (75) singles to score Andres...

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San Francisco Giants' Barry Zito scores against the Colorado Rockies during the second inning of a baseball game in San Francisco, Wednesday, April 10, 2013. The Giants won 10-0. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Photo: Jeff Chiu, Associated Press

San Francisco Giants' Barry Zito scores against the Colorado...

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San Francisco Giants pitcher Barry Zito (75) delivers against the Colorado Rockies during the sixth inning of a baseball game in San Francisco, Wednesday, April 10, 2013. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Photo: Jeff Chiu, Associated Press

San Francisco Giants pitcher Barry Zito (75) delivers against the...

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San Francisco Giants' Barry Zito (75) singles to score Andres Torres during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Colorado Rockies in San Francisco, Wednesday, April 10, 2013. The Giants won 10-0. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Photo: Jeff Chiu, Associated Press

San Francisco Giants' Barry Zito (75) singles to score Andres...

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San Francisco Giants pitcher Barry Zito delivers against the Colorado Rockies during the first inning of a baseball game in San Francisco, Wednesday, April 10, 2013. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Photo: Jeff Chiu, Associated Press

San Francisco Giants pitcher Barry Zito delivers against the...

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San Francisco Giants pitcher Barry Zito delivers against the Colorado Rockies during the first inning of a baseball game in San Francisco, Wednesday, April 10, 2013. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Photo: Jeff Chiu, Associated Press

San Francisco Giants pitcher Barry Zito delivers against the...

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San Francisco Giants Buster Posey (l to r) is congratulated by teammate Brandon Belt after scoring off a single by Joaquin Arias in the first inning during a baseball game against the Colorado Rockies at AT&T Park on Wednesday, April 10, 2013 in San Francisco, Calif. Posey hit a triple in the first inning scoring Angel Pagan. The final score was San Francisco Giants: 10 and the Colorado Rockies: 0

Photo: Lea Suzuki, The Chronicle

San Francisco Giants Buster Posey (l to r) is congratulated by...

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Fans cheer after pitcher Barry Zito of the San Francisco Giants hits a single in the bottom of the sixth during a baseball game at AT&T Park on Wednesday, April 10, 2013 in San Francisco, Calif. The final score was San Francisco Giants: 10 and the Colorado Rockies: 0

Photo: Lea Suzuki, The Chronicle

Fans cheer after pitcher Barry Zito of the San Francisco Giants...

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Chris Nelson (bottom) of the Colorado Rockies is out at second by San Francisco Giants' Nick Noonan (top) during a double play in the top of the seventh during a baseball game at AT&T Park on Wednesday, April 10, 2013 in San Francisco, Calif. The final score was San Francisco Giants: 10 and the Colorado Rockies: 0

Photo: Lea Suzuki, The Chronicle

Chris Nelson (bottom) of the Colorado Rockies is out at second by...

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San Francisco Giants' pitcher Barry Zito stands in the dugout during a baseball game against the Colorado Rockies at AT&T Park on Wednesday, April 10, 2013 in San Francisco, Calif. The final score was San Francisco Giants: 10 and the Colorado Rockies: 0

Photo: Lea Suzuki, The Chronicle

San Francisco Giants' pitcher Barry Zito stands in the dugout...

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San Francisco Giants Barry Zito pitches in the sixth inning during a baseball game against the Colorado Rockies at AT&T Park on Wednesday, April 10, 2013 in San Francisco, Calif. The final score was San Francisco Giants: 10 and the Colorado Rockies: 0

Photo: Lea Suzuki, The Chronicle

San Francisco Giants Barry Zito pitches in the sixth inning during...

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Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Jeff Francis (center) talks with catch Wilin Rosario (right) before being relieved by Edgmer Escalona in the second inning during a baseball game against the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park on Wednesday, April 10, 2013 in San Francisco, Calif. The final score was San Francisco Giants: 10 and the Colorado Rockies: 0

Photo: Lea Suzuki, The Chronicle

Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Jeff Francis (center) talks with...

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Troy Tulowitzki of the Colorado Rockies neglects to catch the hit of Brandon Crawford of the San Francisco Giants in the bottom of the sixth during a baseball game at AT&T Park on Wednesday, April 10, 2013 in San Francisco, Calif. Brandon Belt scored. The final score was San Francisco Giants: 10 and the Colorado Rockies: 0

Photo: Lea Suzuki, The Chronicle

Troy Tulowitzki of the Colorado Rockies neglects to catch the hit...

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Pitcher Barry Zito of the San Francisco Giants walks off the field after the top of the seventh inning during a baseball game at AT&T Park on Wednesday, April 10, 2013 in San Francisco, Calif. The final score was San Francisco Giants: 10 and the Colorado Rockies: 0

Photo: Lea Suzuki, The Chronicle

Pitcher Barry Zito of the San Francisco Giants walks off the field...

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Troy Tulowitzki of the Colorado Rockies neglects to catch the hit of Brandon Crawford of the San Francisco Giants in the bottom of the sixth during a baseball game at AT&T Park on Wednesday, April 10, 2013 in San Francisco, Calif. Brandon Belt scored. The final score was San Francisco Giants: 10 and the Colorado Rockies: 0

Photo: Lea Suzuki, The Chronicle

Troy Tulowitzki of the Colorado Rockies neglects to catch the hit...

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San Francisco Giants Hunter Pence (center) and Gregor Blanco (right) celebrate at the end the baseball game against the Colorado Rockies at AT&T Park on Wednesday, April 10, 2013 in San Francisco, Calif. The final score was San Francisco Giants: 10 and the Colorado Rockies: 0

Photo: Lea Suzuki, The Chronicle

San Francisco Giants Hunter Pence (center) and Gregor Blanco...

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Pitcher Edgmer Escalona (center) of the Colorado Rockies stands on the pitchers mound after relieving starting pitcher Jeff Francis in the second inning during a baseball game against the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park on Wednesday, April 10, 2013 in San Francisco, Calif. The final score was San Francisco Giants: 10 and the Colorado Rockies: 0

Photo: Lea Suzuki, The Chronicle

Pitcher Edgmer Escalona (center) of the Colorado Rockies stands on...

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Pitcher Barry Zito of the San Francisco Giants hits a single in the bottom of the sixth during a baseball game at AT&T Park on Wednesday, April 10, 2013 in San Francisco, Calif. The final score was San Francisco Giants: 10 and the Colorado Rockies: 0

Photo: Lea Suzuki, The Chronicle

Pitcher Barry Zito of the San Francisco Giants hits a single in the...

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San Francisco Giants Barry Zito pitches in the sixth inning during a baseball game against the Colorado Rockies at AT&T Park on Wednesday, April 10, 2013 in San Francisco, Calif. The final score was San Francisco Giants: 10 and the Colorado Rockies: 0

Photo: Lea Suzuki, The Chronicle

San Francisco Giants Barry Zito pitches in the sixth inning during...

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San Francisco Giants catcher Buster Posey hits a single in the bottom of the fifth inning scoring Barry Zito during a baseball game at AT&T Park on Wednesday, April 10, 2013 in San Francisco, Calif. The final score was San Francisco Giants: 10 and the Colorado Rockies: 0

Photo: Lea Suzuki, The Chronicle

San Francisco Giants catcher Buster Posey hits a single in the...

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Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Jeff Francis pitches during a baseball game against the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park on Wednesday, April 10, 2013 in San Francisco, Calif. The final score was San Francisco Giants: 10 and the Colorado Rockies: 0

(04-11) 10:19 PDT -- Throughout most of his tenure with the Giants, Barry Zito has had the good fortune (financially) and the misfortune of having his career defined by the number 126, as in the $126 million, seven-year contract he signed with San Francisco after the 2006 season.

Following Zito's seven-inning outing in the Giants' 10-0 romp over Colorado on Wednesday at AT&T Park, Zito's recent time with the orange and black can be defined by another number, 16: Including the postseason last year, the Giants have won each of the past 16 games Zito has started.

That's the franchise's longest such streak since the 1936 New York Giants won 16 consecutive starts made by Hall of Fame left-hander Carl Hubbell.

"You can't have more confidence than what Barry has right now," Giants manager Bruce Bochy said.

Said catcher Buster Posey: "I think he's throwing each pitch with a lot of conviction."

The lefty gave up seven hits, walked one and struck out four. He has begun the season with 14 scoreless innings over two starts, and in the 16-start winning streak, he has 11 victories.

"What else can he do after his first two starts?" Bochy asked.

He can't do much better at the plate, either.

After singling in the Giants' 1-0 win over St. Louis in the home opener Friday, Zito went 2-for-3 with a sacrifice, two runs and an RBI against Colorado. For anyone who has witnessed Zito's approach in the batter's box, it should come as no surprise that all three of his hits this season have gone to left field.

"It gets back to competing," Bochy said. "It doesn't matter what you're doing in this game: pitching, swinging the bat, playing defense - it's all about competing. He's as tough a competitor as I've been around."

Zito competed even on the basepaths Wednesday. On Marco Scutaro's second-inning sacrifice fly to right, Zito tagged at second and hustled into third.

"That was a first for me," Zito said. "Just tagging up, in general, is something that we don't do a lot of as starting pitchers. It was fun.

"I thought I executed my slide pretty good."

After Zito's second hit of the afternoon, a sixth-inning single, the sellout crowd of 41,606 saluted him with a standing ovation.

He received more than his share of boos when he had losing records in each of his first five seasons with the Giants (cumulative record: 43-61) before going 15-8 last year.

"It tells you a lot about a man's character to persevere the way he has through some struggles," Bochy said. "That's why we're all so happy and proud of what Barry's doing now."